Position overview
Salary range: The salary range for this position is $90,200-$240,000 inclusive of the salary scale and off-scale salary components. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.
Application Window
Open date: July 29, 2024
Next review date: Saturday, Aug 31, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
NATURE AND PURPOSE
The Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics (IPN) at the University of California, Davis, is seeking a Director of Pharmacology to join our team. This position will be housed in the in the Department of Chemistry in the Professional Researcher series (Academic Federation) with rank and salary commensurate with experience.
Professional Research series: The Professional Researcher develops and oversees their own independent, creative, and high-quality research program equivalent to that required for the Professor series. The Professional Researcher takes major responsibility and leadership for their programs. Generally, the appointee is expected to secure funding as a Principal Investigator but may be funded as a co-PI within a large center or collaborative program grant on which many independent investigators are working, as long as it is clear that the activities led by the professional researcher within the larger project constitute his/her own independent research program. Appointees do not have teaching responsibilities. University and Public Service are expected at the Associate/Full ranks (e.g. committee service, guest lecturing, public outreach, managing departmental facilities, involvement in government and/or professional society committees, etc.)
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
I. RESEARCH (90%)
This candidate is required to develop an independent research program on the development of novel neurotherapeutics and molecular tools for probing mechanistic questions in neuroscience. The candidate will be expected to:
- Work with the institute’s director and associate director to achieve the goals of the IPN and build a highly visible, world-class research program in neuropharmacology and CNS therapeutic development
- Serve as the leader of the pre-clinical pharmacology team within the IPN
- Work with the Director of Medicinal Chemistry to identify lead candidates for a variety of indications
- Collaborate with IPN affiliated principal investigators and their trainees
- Oversee multiple concurrent research programs, both internal projects and collaborative projects with external academic and industrial partners.
- Manage the design, planning, execution, and analysis of in vitro and in vivo assays and train staff to reliably perform these assays
- Development and implementation of high-throughput assays as needed
- Lead the progression of molecules from lead to therapeutic candidate through pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicological assessments.
- Maintain equipment necessary for the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of compounds
- Work with the Director of Medicinal Chemistry to maintain a proprietary UC Davis compound library and associated databases
- Oversee the safety of IPN laboratories
- Supervision and mentoring of the staff and trainees within the IPN pharmacology team
- Develop new research projects and play a major role in writing grant proposals and securing funding from federal, state, private, and industrial sources
- Publish research results in high impact peer-reviewed journals
- Work with UC Davis Innovation Access and attorneys to file patents to protect UC Davis intellectual property
- Help initiate, evaluate, and implement IPN pilot grants
- Prepare reports and manage data rooms during diligence with potential industrial partners interested in licensing IPN technology
- Other activities may include obtaining and maintaining appropriate laboratory and safety protocols, managing project budgets, supervising employees, writing and submitting progress reports to funding agencies, presenting at conferences, participation in professional societies, and reviewing grants and manuscripts.
II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5%)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his/her specific field and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and give research presentations at national and international scientific meetings. When appropriate, the candidate may be requested to coordinate seminars and laboratory meetings.
III.UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)
University and Public Service is required for the Associate and Full Title ranks. The candidate will engage in University service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. Teaching full classroom courses is not an expectation of this position. The candidate will also engage in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals or public agencies.